Opposition calls new fines for rallies provocations, United Russia ready for dialogue

May 24, 2012, 17:23 UTC+3The second hearing of the bill “is due on June 5-6,” and the law may be adopted before June 12

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MOSCOW, May 24 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia’s opposing parties say the new norms of the Administrative Code, which raise dramatically fines for violations during rallies, do not comply with the country’s Constitution or the international law. The United Russia claims it is ready for a dialogue.

The addendums were on the agenda of the Open Tribune expert platform, which featured leaders of parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties and the interior ministry.

Ilya Ponomarev of A Just Russia said the international law “proclaims freedom of assemblies as a major right,” thus “the state should support organisation of rallies in preferred locations, not far from downtown, and limitations should be reasonable.” He is sure the fine of 5,000 roubles for most people is a “banning norm already.”

Sergei Mitrokhin of Yabloko claimed the bill violated the norms of the Constitution, as, for example, it “introduces forced labour, while forced labour is banned by our Constitution.” “You are closing a boiled kettle, and I advise you to build a new Parliamentary Centre, as your building is less protected, and attacks will be on you.”

“We have not supported and will not support the bill, as it is of provocative character,” Zuganov of CPRF said. he added that international experience should be considered not for stating the amount of fines, but for stating salaries and pensions.

Vladimir Zhirinovsky of LDPR suggested changing the political system. “Today’s riots are against a one-party system.”

General Yuri Demidov represented the interior ministry. He said the present legislation does not state a distance between single pickets, besides deputies abuse the right for meetings with the electorate, as such meetings at 7pm cause inconveniences for other people.

Iosif Diskin, a member of the Civil Chamber, suggested differentiating fines for organisers and for participants, and to grant ecology character to forced labour.

During the hearings, United Russia confirmed it was ready for a dialogue. “Nobody would want to ban street assemblies, but without added responsibility those not involved may be affected,” Andrei Vorobyov said.

The second hearing of the bill “is due on June 5-6,” and the law may be adopted before June 12, Vorobyov said.